Deciding which self-publishing company to go with can be a real challenge. To assist you with this process, I’m writing a series of posts where I do the leg work for you! I’ll prepare a side-by-side comparison of two similar publishing packages from two self-publishing companies. I’ll strive to keep it as simple as possible to help cut through the vast amount of information out there by giving you an easy to read chart and a brief summary of my impressions on the comparison.
This installment of the series is a comparison of two of the most robust self-publishing packages available: The “One Click for Coaches & Speakers” from Outskirts Press (which you can enjoy even if you’re NOT a coach or speaker, by the way) and the “Scroll,” from Trafford. The information shared here is current as of the date I completed the comparison (19 December 2012) and is dependent on what I could located on the websites without contacting representatives.
| Outskirts Press One-Click Publishing For Coaches & Speakers $4,497 |
Trafford Publishing Scroll Publishing Package $5,749 |
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| Production Options | Paperback Format | ✓ | ✓ |
| Custom Cover | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Professional Interior Formatting | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Copyright registration | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Library of Congress Control Number | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Interior Elements | Up to 20 images | Up to 60 images | |
| Copyediting | Up to 75,000 Words | Up to 250,000 Words | |
| Author Copies (Paperback) | 10 Copies | 40 Copies | |
| Expedited Service | ✓ | ||
| Cover Scribing | ✓ | ||
| Your ISBN/ Imprint or ours | ✓ | ||
| Hardback Format | ✓ | ||
| Author Copies (Hardback) | ✓ | ||
| Indexing | Up to 500 entries | ||
| Additional Formats | Secure EBook Edition | ✓ | ✓ |
| Amazon Kindle Edition | ✓ | ||
| Espresso Book Machine Edition | ✓ | ||
| Marketing Services | Book Video Trailer & Distribution | ✓ | ✓ |
| Custom Press Release | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Author Webpage | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Barnes & Noble See Inside | ✓ | ✓ | |
| 60 Second Book Video Trailer | ✓ | 1 of 3 choices | |
| Social Media Marketing Setup | PMA | ✓ | |
| Post-Publication Marketing Assistance | Marketing COACH (2 years) | Learning Center (1 year) | |
| PR Publicist Campaign | ✓ | ||
| Personal Marketing Assistant (PMA) | ✓ | ||
| Submission to 10 Reviewers | ✓ | ||
| Electronic Clipping Service | ✓ | ||
| Publication Press Release | ✓ | ||
| Streaming Audio | ✓ | ||
| Amazon Cover Enhancement | ✓ | ||
| Amazon See Inside the Book | ✓ | ||
| Bookseller’s Return Program | ✓ | ||
| Marketing Promotional Materials | 100 pieces |
With Outskirts Press, for $1,252 less you receive expedited service, a private label (optional), the Amazon Kindle edition of your book, the Espresso Book Machine edition, a PR campaign, 10 Book Reviews, a clipping service and 5 hours of personal marketing assistance with a professional book marketing expert, among other benefits.
There are a few options that come with Trafford’s Scroll package that are not included with the Outskirts Press package such as a hardback format and more author copies. Although, you could order most if not all of those services a la carte with Outskirts Press and likely still come in at an overall lower cost.
My vote? Outskirts Press! See all the benefits and features of the One-Click Package for Speakers & Coaches by clicking here.
I’d love to know, which option would you choose and why?
Self Publishing Advisor 
I don’t see any obvious winner. The author must determine which parts of the packages are more important, and their value.
Maybe indexing is more important than a Kindle edition. Maybe the PMA is more important than returnability.
Maybe one company does better covers, editing and websites than the other.
Some things need explanations. What are cover scribing and a secure ebook? What’s the difference between a custom press release and a publication press release?